VA Disability Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs assigns a disability rating based on medical evidence, service treatment records, and private medical records. Ratings range from 0% to 100% in 10% increments and directly affect disability compensation benefits. When veterans have multiple service connected disabilities, the VA uses the combined rating system and combined ratings table to calculate the final combined rating, which determines monthly tax free payment amounts.

VA disability benefits cover physical and mental health conditions linked to military service. Common service-connected disabilities include PTSD, chronic illness, hearing loss, and musculoskeletal disorders. Veterans may also qualify if an existing condition got worse due to service. Some conditions are presumptive, such as those tied to Agent Orange, Gulf War exposures, or toxic environments, which simplify the claims process for eligible veterans.

Yes, veterans can work while receiving VA disability compensation. Regular disability benefits are not based on employment status, though Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) restricts substantially gainful employment. Veterans may still receive a monthly tax-free payment regardless of job status. However, eligibility for additional benefits like aid and attendance benefits or dependency and indemnity compensation depends on dependent status, medical evidence, and the severity of service-connected disabilities.

You can apply for VA disability benefits by filing a VA disability claim online, by mail, in person, or by fax. The required documents include separation papers such as DD214, service treatment records, dependency records such as children’s birth certificates, and private medical records. Many veterans choose help from a veterans service officer, claims agent, or accredited attorney to guide them through the process and ensure stronger disability claim submissions.

If an existing condition becomes worse, you can request a review for an increased disability rating. Submitting updated medical evidence strengthens your case, and the VA may schedule a C&P exam to reassess severity. If approved, your VA disability pay increases according to new disability compensation rates. This ensures that veterans continue receiving appropriate monthly tax-free payments for their service-connected disabilities as their health changes over time.

Yes, veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher may receive additional compensation for a dependent spouse, dependent children, or dependent parents. Extra benefits may apply if a spouse is receiving aid and attendance benefits or when veterans have more than one child or an additional schoolchild. Eligible surviving spouses and children may also qualify for dependency and indemnity compensation, ensuring continued veterans' disability benefits after the veteran’s death.

VA disability compensation rates are adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. Compensation rates depend on the veteran’s disability rating, dependent status, and whether there are additional benefits like aid and attendance. The VA rounds the final combined rating percentages to the nearest 10%, applying factors like the bilateral factor when both limbs or organs are affected. These updates ensure fair, consistent monthly payment amounts for all veterans.